Rihanna’s Statement and Dad’s Reaction to Photo

Rihanna was seen back out in LA late this week, and she seems ready to start dealing with the backlash from the incident with Chris Brown. Hopefully Chris will have more backlash to deal with but it’s clear that he gave her more than a beating – now she also has her very own scandal to deal with. So she’s started showing her face again and her reps issued a statement. In the statement, there’s nothing about the actual incident, which isn’t surprising. I don’t think anyone will ever know all the gory details about what went down that night in the Lamborghini. But she does want us all to know that she’s doing okay which hopefully, is all we really wanted to know. From US,

“Rihanna was spotted in Los Angeles Thursday night for the first time since her alleged assault by Chris Brown.

The photos show the singer looking solemn and wearing sunglasses while being driven in the backseat of a car. Not visible: the bruises prevalent on Rihanna’s face in the leaked photo taken shortly after she was battered the morning of the Grammys.

The “Umbrella” singer, who turns 21 years old today, is also speaking out for the first time — through a spokesperson.

The rep tells Usmagazine.com in a statement that she’s “not commenting about the incident involving Chris Brown.

“She wants to assure her fans that she remains strong, is doing well, and deeply appreciates the outpouring of support she has received during this difficult time,” the statement continues.

Rihanna’s dad told Usmagazine.com earlier the leaked photo is “disturbing” but helps people “grasp the situation a lot better.

“It’s good and it’s bad to see the picture because there’s other people who were thinking differently, that [Rihanna's injuries] may not be that bad, just a little spank or a little thing,” Ronald Fenty says.”

I agree with RiRi’s dad here. I don’t think that picture changed anyone’s mind for the better. I think anyone – and I haven’t been able to find anyone so far – that is on Brown’s side will continue to turn a blind eye to the situation and praise him as their hero. I also think that anyone who realizes how serious domestic abuse is was, and always will be, on Rihanna’s side on this one. Did we really need to see pictures of her bruises? Because if I were beaten by my boyfriend, I know that I would want pics of my battered face all over everywhere. Not likely, and I think it’s sort of sad that TMZ, a source that I usually really respect, would jump at the opportunity to run it.